Meridan mine to create big lake

PLANS for a huge sand-mining operation at Meridan Plains could create a lake “200 times larger than all the Chancellor Lakes combined”.

Councillors on Monday endorsed a new report on the proposed sand mine, which has been earmarked by the state government as “a key resource area”, with a 30- to 50-year working life supplying sand for building and road construction.

Strategy and planning executive director Warren Bunker told councillors the mine had “significant resources for extraction”, but care was required in environmental management.

“We have to get the hydrology and flooding right,” Mr Bunker said.

“The tricky thing is getting authoritative flood effects.”

He said infrastructure issues surrounding the proposed mine included transportation, water, sewage and electricity.

He also speculated on what uses the tailings lake could have, including alternative waterfront development or recreational amenities.

“There are lots of questions on how these could occur and we have had the experience of Chancellor Lakes,” Mr Bunker said.

“The water would need pre-treatment before it could have any other use.”